The Westboro Baptist Church is one of the most hate-filled religious zealotry groups ever to sprout up in our nation. They demonstrate unbelievable and uncomfortable hatred toward anyone and everyone that doesn't see life according to their ridiculously strict interpretation of The Bible. They picket funerals with signs that read such filth as ""Thank God for Dead Soldiers" or "God Hates the USA/Thank God for 9/11." They believe that our culture is so "evil" that God is continually punishing us. And their biggest pet peeve with US culture, homosexual Americans. They "adhor" them, demonstrating constantly with equally disgusting signs.

Well, this forum is made to spread the news that the leader of the church and it's most outspoken actor, Fred Phelps (84), died today. This is honestly one of the rare times when I read a headline of someone dying and think "Thank God" (even more ironic to say because I'm not even Christian)... He was truly a terrible human being. He and his 13 children and 53 grandchildren make up the vast majority of the Westboro Baptist Church hate machine, and the church needs to simply go away. They are a perfect example of how something as awesome as the 1st amendment can backfire.

To other religious people we get a double blessing, not only is he gone from this plane , we feel he will get his final Judgment from the One on high, those who don't believe in a higher power will just have to be satisified with knowing that he is dead.

AMC, assuming there is a heaven, I'd have to believe that there is Freedom of Speech, since the Bible says God gave people free will, even in the Garden of Eden. (This is all assuming the Bible is correct, I won't argue whether it is or not, just responding to what AMC said about Heaven) That's not to say God or someone else wouldn't duct tape Phelps's mouth shut, just that there probably wouldn't be a rule about what you can or cannot say...

As for Fred Phelps, there's a saying I remember hearing at times growing up (the saying is probably a lot older...), "Good riddance to bad rubbish"

One of my favorite things to see is people countering hate with love. The Westboro Church was protesting outside of a Lorde concert venue and counter protesters had a sign that read "Sorry For Your Loss."

In prison if an inmate becomes a "born again' the church will pay for seminary college. You have a bunch of individuals who have never mattered in this life...and now...an opportunity to be noticed, to be heard and to finally feel important...... The pulpit is very enticing.

To these prison pastors its a new hustle. a way to make money, a way to manipulate. The bigger the con the better the pastor. People always say I need to find jesus,,,,, I have. He lives in prison